What goes in my food and yard waste cart?

Tips & Guidelines
Did you know food scraps, uncoated food-soiled paper, and yard waste can be composted into a nutrient-rich soil amendment? Finished compost creates a valuable product used in parks and gardens. Approximately 30% of all material that ends up in the landfill could have been composted instead. When you keep food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste separate from your garbage, you extend the life of our landfills and conserve resources.

Food & yard waste collection is included with your residential garbage subscription for a low monthly fee. Food & yard waste is collected every-other-week on the same day as your garbage collection. To sign up for service, submit a Modify Service Form or call Recology CleanScapes at 425.413.1555.

Materials Collected

Put these types of materials in your food and yard waste cart:
Food scraps

  • Fruits, vegetables
  • Bread, pasta, grains
  • Eggshells, nutshells
  • Fish, meat, dairy
  • Shells, bones
  • Coffee grounds and filters
  • Tea bags

Food-soiled paper

  • Paper towels and napkins
  • Uncoated paper plates and cups
  • Uncoated paper take-out cartons
  • Pizza delivery boxes
  • Paper bags containing food scraps

Yard debris

      • Grass clippings
      • Leaves, twigs
      • Weeds
      • Houseplants
      • Branches (under 4′ long, 4″ wide)

 
DO NOT place these items in your food and yard waste cart:
  • Glass
  • Animal or human waste
  • Pet litter
  • Diapers
  • Plastic
  • StyrofoamTM
  • Foil
  • Hazardous waste
  • Soil
  • Rocks
  • Stumps/limbs (over 4′ long, 4″ wide)
  • Lumber or fencing
  • Painted or treated wood
  • Metal

Download the Food and Yard Waste Poster

English


Watch the Kitchen Composting 101 video below for tips.

More videos from King County: Love Your Leftovers | Shop Smart | Store It Right